Connecticut dentist who lost his license after patient died remains licensed in New York: 7 notes

Former Enfield, Conn., dentist Rashmi Patel, DDS, let his license lapse in 2015 after a patient died while under sedation, according the Journal Inquirer.

Here are seven notes:

1. Although Dr. Patel claims to be retired and not practicing, he is still licensed to practice in New York. Dr. Patel told the Journal Inquirer, "there was an investigation by New York, and I was exonerated."

2. In 2014, Dr. Patel's patient died after the dentist pulled 20 of the patient's teeth and placed dental implants. An investigation, found Dr. Patel "deviated from the standard care" and didn't timely respond to the patient's oxygen desaturation and respiratory distress.

3. The Connecticut State Dental Commission permanently restricted Dr. Patel from using conscious sedation and suspended his license until he completed an assessment services program. The commission also put him on probation for five years.

4. Enfield police also charged Dr. Patel with criminally negligent homicide and evidence tampering in the patient's death. The police received tips from Dr. Patel's employees that differed from what Dr. Patel told investigators.

5. After Dr. Patel let his license lap in 2015, he signed an agreement the same year that he would not renew or reinstate his license. Hartford Superior Court threw out Dr. Patel's negligent homicide charge.

6. Dr. Patel completed his two years of probation. In October 2015, Dr. Patel also surrendered his license to practice in Massachusetts.

7. New York licensing records indicate Dr. Patel earned his dental license in 2002 and is a registered dentist currently. The state's "professional discipline summary index" does not list Dr. Patel.

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